Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 28 : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)’s call for Muslims to wear black armbands in protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill while offering Alvida Jumma namaz saw widespread participation in Hyderabad, Lucknow, and other cities on Friday.
Mass Protest Across Cities
- In Hyderabad, AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill, participated in the symbolic protest, wearing a black armband during Friday prayers.
- Visuals showed hundreds of worshippers wearing black armbands as they prayed, while police personnel were deployed across the city to ensure peace.
- In Lucknow, AIMPLB member Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli and other Muslim organization representatives also joined the protest.
AIMPLB’s Stand on the Waqf Bill
AIMPLB member Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli reiterated the board’s opposition to the proposed amendments:
“Waqf is a Muslim matter, and there should be no changes to it so that Waqf properties do not fall into a danger zone. We had raised concerns with the Joint Parliamentary Committee, but our objections were ignored.”
He claimed that 90% of Waqf properties include mosques, dargahs, and cemeteries, and the proposed amendments could put these sites at risk.
Peaceful Protest, No Call for Street Demonstrations
- AIMPLB emphasized that their protest was not a call for street demonstrations but a symbolic and peaceful movement.
- The board had previously organized protests in Delhi and Patna, and a major demonstration is scheduled in Vijayawada on March 29, 2025.
Concerns Over Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Waqf Act of 1995 was originally enacted to regulate Waqf properties, but has faced criticism for mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce reforms such as:
✔ Digitization of records
✔ Enhanced audits
✔ Improved transparency
✔ Legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties
However, AIMPLB has termed the bill a “sinister conspiracy” to deprive Muslims of their religious and charitable institutions.
With tensions rising, further discussions and protests are expected in the coming days.